Kellari Nafplio Restaurant - Traditional Greek & Mediterranean Cuisine in Nafplion

sites to See in the Peloponnese

Sites in Nafplio & the Area

The Argolida and the Peloponnese are filled with history, inhabited since antiquity and during Classical times they are incredible places to learn and see sites in Greece.
Visit the area and see the ruins of ancient city-states that once ruled over the Mediterranean or make a visit to sites from modern Greek history such as castles, statues, historic buildings and monuments tied to the Greek Revolution. Take a small cruise from Nafplio to the islands of Hydra & Spetses and get see Greece from a different perspective or visit museums with findings from a variety of historical eras, like the Bronze Age or findings dating as far back as the Neolithic and Paleolithic eras. You can also visit the many beaches in the Argolida area and find the beach that better suits your taste. The Peloponnese is an amazing place and an ideal destination for your summer vacation in Greece.

Things to See in Nafplio

Take a walk in the Old Town of Nafplion and see historic buildings & monuments, visit the Syntagma Square and the Philellinon Square and enjoy the lovely atmosphere. See old churches, a Catholic church and an old mosque turned into a theatre. Visit the trademark castle of Palamidi in Nafplio, known for it's legendary 999 steps to the top, hop on a water-taxi and visit the sea fort of Bourtzi or take a walk up to the Acronafplia castle.

The centre of Nafplio's Old Town is filled with monuments, sculptures and historic buildings, stroll throught the graphic narrow streets and learn more about Greece's first capital city.

Ancient Asini

Ancient Asini is an archaeological site dating back to the Bronze Age and the Mycenaean era while the site was used by the ancient city of Mycenae as a port. The position of the fortification on the small headland helped with safety while offering a great view of the Argolic Gulf. The site is also mentioned in Homers Iliad as a place where ships embarked on their journey for the Trojan War. Visit Ancient Asini and see the interactive presentation of the archaeological site and enjoy the beautiful view!

Ancient Asini is located about 15 minutes away from Nafplio by car.

Argos

The town of Argos has been inhabited since ancient times and is the most ancient european city continuously inhabited. Due to the history of Argos, there are many sites to see such as the city's castle Larissa, overlooking from the hill above. Other sites in Argos include the ancient Agora (marketplace), where today's market also take place, the ancient theatre of Argos with a capacity of around 20,000 people making it one of the largest in world or see the Roman constructed baths.

Full of history, Argos is a must visit site and at only 7km from Nafplio it's a great choice.

Hellinikon Pyramid

The Greek pyramid dates back to the 3rd-4th century BC and specialists speculate it was either used as a guardtower or a tomb for soldiers from Argos. There are very few mentions of the pyramid in ancient texts but Pausanias recorded it while travelling through and mapping Greece.

A very interesting site in Nafplio at a distance of around 17 km it is worth seeing a pyramid on Greek terrain.

Ancient Tiryns

Ancient Tiryns is a world famous archaeological site close to Nafplio and a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city of Tiryns reached it's peak at around 1400 and 1200 BC when it was an important centre for the Mycenaean civilisation. It was known for it's great Minoan-style palace and earned it's Homeric epithet of "mighty walled Tiryns" due to the giant rocks that make up it's walls, so big that in fact a myth arose, that the city's walls were built by Cyclopes. The city became associated with the myth of Heracles, as Tiryns was his residence during his labors while some sources cite it as his birthplace.

About 10 minutes by car from the centre of Nafplio a wildly interesting site.

Ancient Mycenae

The ancient city of Mycenae was the centre of the Mycenaean civilisation and a military force to be reckoned with. During it's peak the city had a population of 30,000 residents while dominating the Cyclades, Crete and mainland Greece as well as some of Anatolia. The period from 1600 BC to about 1100 BC was named "the Mycenaean Era" in homage to the great citadel. See the legendary Lion's Gate, a magnificent entrance to the city and marvel at the complex structure with palaces, warehouses and last but not least the famous beehive tombs .In mythology the city was founded by Perseus son of Zeus.

Getting to Ancient Mycenae is an easy task and it will be most rewarding located at around 20 minutes from Nafplion.

Ancient Nemea

Ancient Nemea is an interesting site with an ancient temple dedicated to Nemean Zeus protector of sheppards, not to be confused with the Olympian Zeus. The ruins of the Temple of Zeus are well preserved with 9 of the original pillars in place. The area of Nemea is also very well known for it's wine and has been since ancient times and don't forget that Nemea was also the site where Hercules completed one of his labours, killing the Nemean Lion.

The archaeological site of ancient Nemea is located about 30 minutes away from Nafplio by car.

Ancient Corinth

Ancient Corinth was one of the wealthiest and most prosperous cities in ancient times, due to it's natural position. Controlling the Isthmus, the passage between the Peloponnese and the rest of mainland Greece Corinth flourished into one of the most important trading centre until threatened by the city-state of Athens. In the year 146 BC the Greeks lost to the Romans in Corinth and the city was destroyed. In the 4th century BC the city was rebuilt and at around 51-52 AD it was visited by Apostle Paul.

The archaeological site of Ancient Corinth and the Acrocorinth is located about an hour away from Nafplion.

Corinth Canal

A manmade canal and a feat of enginneering, the Corinth Canal cuts through mainland Greece and unites the Aegean and the Ionian seas. It is 6.4 kilometres in length and only 21.4 metres wide at its base and it's construction began in 1881 and was completed in 1893 since the construction company in charge was bankrupt. The idea of cutting through the Isthmus was proposed in the 1st century AD but failed due to lack of resources. Today it is mainly a tourist attractions and a wonderful one at that.

The Corinth Canal is located close to site of ancient Corinth at about an hour away from Napflio.

Ancient Theatre of Epidavros

The theatre of Epidavros is one of the most famous ancient theatres in the world, reknowned for it's acoustics and surrounded by a large archaeological site. Constructed in the 4th century BC by Polykleitos the Younger and while in use the theatre could seat 13,000 to 14,000 spectators. Theatrical performances began in 1954 and in 1955 they took the form of an annual festival, 'The Athens-Epidaurus Festival' that continues till today, during the summer months. Visit ancient Epidavros and see the the archaeological museum as well as the site including the smaller, lesser known theatre and the Temple of Asclepius, the god of medicine.

One of the most interesting archaeological sites close to Nafplion and with a great variety of things to see.

Mystras

The story of Mystras begins in 1249, when the Franks conquered the Peloponnese and the Frank prince, William II of Villehardouin began construction, on the hillside of the mountain Taygetos. Due to it's strategic position and it's natural placement it was easy to fortify and defend. In 1259 after the battle of Pelagonia the Franks lost and the fortified city fell under Byzantine rule. After that it became the capital of the Despotate of Moria and the place from which the Peloponnese was ruled over. Mystras flourished between the 14th and 15th century and was and in 1460 it was handed over to the Ottoman Turks. The city of Mystras was abandoned in 1832, leaving behind a breathtaking medieval ruin city filled with mansions, churches, monasteries and amazing wall paintings in a beautiful landscape.

Mystras is around 1 hour and 45 minutes away from Nafplio and is an wonderful site to visit still standing proud.

Monemvasia

Monemvasia, was a Byzantine fortified town built on an islet, in the 6th century AD and flourished during medieval times. Due to it's position it was an ideal fortress and it's name means there's only one entrance to the town (Μόνη (only one) + Έμβασις (entrance)) while it was is also known as "Gibraltar of the East" or "The Rock". Monemvasia was on the course from Sicily to the Aegean and was an important port of the time, later on becoming a stronghold controlling access to the Aegean from the west. During the 11th an 12th century it experienced impressive economic growth and many churches were built all around the island including the replica of Hagia Sofia (Constantinople-Istanbul). It is connected to the mainland by a causeway that has an opening to let boats through.

Not far from Mystra at about 3 hours from Nafplio, Monemvasia is an impressive site, walk the old town streets and admire a town left in another time.

Hydra

Hydra is a beautiful traditional Greek island in the Argosaronic Gulf and was named after it's fresh water springs (Ύδρα, ύδωρ = water). The island is a very popular summer destination and played a big role during the Greek Revolution of 1821 with residents turning their merchant ships to war ships for the cause. Before the Revolution Hydra had become a wealthy island and important port especially during the Napoleonic Wars, although Hydra's history goes back to the Neolithic era and was inhabited during both the Bronze age and Classical times. In the spirit of keeping tradition, the islands residents do not use motor vehicles as they are banned by law! Instead they use donkeys or walk around the main town.

Today the island is a popular tourist destination, take a one-day cruise from Nafplion and see a traditional Greek island.

Spetses

The island of Spetses is a popular summer destination and is full of history and is located in the Argosaronic Gulf. It was called 'Pityousa' (Πιτυούσα) in antiquity and got it's current name from medieval times where it was called 'isola di spezia' island of spices by Franks, Venetians and Catalans which means the island of spices. Spetses also played an important part in the Greek Revolution against the Ottoman empire sending ships to battle and raising money for the cause.

Now Spetses are among the most popular summer destinations, especially from Athens due to it's close proximity. Take a cruise of popular Greek islands from Nafplio and visit Spetses among other Greek islands.

Loutraki

A popular summer destination Loutraki is known and visited for the beautiful thermal baths and mineral waters as well as it's casino. The town has an amazing beach spanning over 3,5 km and is easily accessible for people with mobility issues, while cafeterias and bar are in abundance offering a great nightlife experience. Loutraki beach faces toward the west allowing it's visitors to marvel at the sunset from one side and the Iraion cape. In ancient times Loutraki was known as 'Thermes' or 'Thermai', visited for it's thermal baths and was protected by the goddess Artemis.

Loutraki is ideal for a fun summer weekend, visit Loutraki from Nafplio and see the thermal baths or take a swim in the waters of the Ionian Sea.

Athens

Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece, inhabited since ancient times it's is most known for the Classic times of antiquity and was the birthplace of democracy while the Acropolis and the Parthenon are her trademarks. The city's history spans over 3,400 years with the earliest human presence starting between the 11th to 7th century BC. With a population of 3,753,783 Athens is a centre for the whole country with an immpresive amount of arcaheeological sites, historic monuments, museums and universities. Visit the Acropolis or the New Acropolis Museum and see an immense amount of findings and scupltures hinting at the cities long history.

Athens is a cosmopolitan city, located at only around 138km from Nafplio or about 2 hours away by car making Nafplio an ideal destination for a weekend away from Athens.